"Islamic State thugs have destroyed a
collection of priceless statues and sculptures in Iraq dating back thousands of
years.

Extremists used sledgehammers and power drills
to smash ancient artwork as they rampaged through a museum in the northern city
of Mosul.

Video footage shows a group of bearded men in
the Nineveh Museum using tools to wreck 3,000-year-old statues after pushing
them over."

How utterly disgraceful and
disrespectful to destroy the culture, heritage, and history of a people because
of hate and ignorance.

Sound familiar? How frightening is it that there
are people in the United States who would like to see the same thing happen to
our Confederate memorials, monuments, and artifacts? It's already happening
here, and will continue, if we don't start standing up and defending our
heritage!"The men of Nineveh will stand up at
the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the
preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here." Matthew
12:41Susan
HathawayVa Flaggers

Monday, February 23, 2015

General James Ewell Brown
Stuart is once again in danger! Though he is no longer prey to the mortality of
the flesh, his monument in Richmond is in serious danger of being rendered hors
d'combat due to the passage of time and frailty of every man-made monument in Richmond is in serious danger of being rendered hors
d'combat due to the passage of time and frailty of every man-made
substance no matter how "permanent".

THE STUART-MOSBY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY is sponsoring a fund-raising effort to keep General JEB in the
saddle for many years to come. For a cost of $35,000, craftsmen will return the
General to full health and continued existence. It is hoped to have the funds
raised by June so that the work can be done during the summer. All monies
collected above and beyond the cost of restoration will be placed in a trust
fund for future maintenance.

To help in this most worthy cause, please
make out your check to: The Stuart Mosby Historical Society and mark for the
"Monument Restoration Fund." Please send your tax-deductible donation
to:

Monday, February 16, 2015

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond controls the historic Confederate Memorial Chapel on the grounds of the Old Soldiers Home.

The property dates from the 1883 sale of a house and 36 acres to R.E. Lee Camp No. 1, Confederate Veterans, for a Confederate soldiers' camp, or home.

Donors to the home included Union veterans from Lynn, Mass., who gave the chapel organ. The chapel, which features stained-glass windows and hand-hewn pews, was dedicated to Confederate war dead in 1887.

The "Robinson House" and the chapel are all that remain of the camp, which operated from 1885 to 1941. After the last veterans died the property was deeded to the commonwealth.

By Executive Order 35 in 1991, the VMFA acts as the governor's agent in leasing the chapel to the SCV.

At its March 31, 2010, meeting the VMFA Board of Trustees' Executive Committee unanimously passed two motions concerning the Confederate Memorial Chapel on the grounds of the Old Soldiers' Home in Richmond: First, the museum would not renew the existing lease as written. Second, the museum "is opposed to flying the Confederate Battle Flag or any of its derivatives on the Museum property."

The new lease called for the removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the portico of the Chapel. The flags were removed in June 1, 2010. In the fall of 2011, concerned citizens began protesting the desecration of the Chapel and the dishonoring of Confederate Veterans, by gathering on the sidewalk in front of the VMFA, carrying Confederate flags.

Coming together to stand against the VMFA, the Virginia Flaggers were born...

As we rang in 2015, the Virginia Flaggers began our 168th week of flagging the VMFA.

Although frigid temperatures arrived in the Capital of the Confederacy, we maintained our vigil, with over 2 dozen Flaggers who joined us over the month, logging over 190 hours on the sidewalk in front of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts...

1-1-15 New Year's Day Flagging! Beautiful day and great conversations on the Boulevard. Lots of residents and tourists out and about and a fabulous day for Flagging the VMFA!

1-10-2015 The cavalry arrived (Army of Northern
Va, Mechanized, that is)!Â Chilly but sunny on the Boulevard in Richmond and
the flags of our ancestors flew proudly. 1/2 dozen Flaggers are forwarded the
colors to protest the forced removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the
portico of the Confederate Memorial Chapel and changing hearts and minds in the
Capital of the Confederacy.

1-13-2015 Overcast and 38 degrees in the Capital of the
Confederacy. A half dozen Flaggers made their way to the Virginia Museum of Fine
Arts (VMFA) to protest the forced removal of Confederate Flags from the portico
of the Confederate Memorial Chapel, including a guest Flagger all the way from
ALABAMA! Mid-South Flagger Shannon F flew in for a FLAGcation, spent a few days
visiting Confederate sites around Richmond, and spent the afternoon standing
with us, for his Confederate ancestors, and against museum officials who have
dishonored their memory and desecrated the Confederate Memorial Chapel.Â God
bless the boys from Alabama! "Audemus jura nostra defendere!"

1-17-2015 While many of us were in Lexington for the
Lee-Jackson weekend, these devoted Flaggers MADE SURE there was a presence at
the VMFA Virginia Museum
of Fine Arts and forwarded the colors on a sunny, but chilly afternoon...
Standing for Confederate Veterans, and changing hearts and minds!

1-21-2015 Cold, cloudy, and mixed precipitation in the
Capital of the Confederacy, yet Flaggers gathered on the Boulevard and forwarded
the colors to protest the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
(VMFA).

01-29-2015 Thursday evening flagging. 44 degrees and overcast. Almost a
DOZEN Flaggers and clear weather meant plenty of Flaggers to cover the line AND
an opportunity to change hearts and minds in the Capital of the
Confederacy. â€” at VMFA Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts.

1-31-2015 Sunny, but chilly day on the Boulevard. Convos were few, but
flags were plentiful. Thank you, Flaggers!

Ready to stand with us? Join us... we will be Flagging WEDNESDAY 2-6, and SATURDAY 1-5 THIS WEEK.

All
I have to say is, to whoever raised a stink about it... THANK YOU...not
only has the sign been re-installed...there is now a Battle Flag
flying, too!

From Billy Starnes, Major Charles Q. Petty Camp #872:Â "The sign is now out of the DOT right of way. Although a little farther off the road, we decided to add a 52' x 52" Battle Flag so it is now more eye catching than ever."

Friday, February 6, 2015

On this day in 1833, James Ewell Brown Stuart was born in Patrick County, Virginia.

"Among the gallant soldiers who have fallen in this war, General Stuart
was second to none in valor, in zeal, and in unflinching devotion to
his country. His achievements form a
conspicuous part of the history of this army, with wich his name and
services will forever be associated. To military capacity of a high
order and to the noble virtues of the soldier he added the brighter
graces of a pure life, guided and sustained by the Christian's faith and
hope. The mysterious hand of an all-wise God has removed him from the
scene of his usefulness and fame. His grateful countrymen will mourn his
loss and cherish his memory. To his comrades in arms he has left the
proud recollections of his deeds and the inspiring influence of his
example."

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Before attending last night's City Council meeting in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a public hearing was to be held regarding Council Member Kristen Szakos' proposal to remove the Lee-Jackson City holiday from the city calendar, we called to make sure that public comments were welcome, and to ascertain what the requirements were to speak. We were told that all citizens of the Commonwealth were welcome, given the guidelines and told to arrive at 6:30 to sign up to speak.

Just over a dozen of us, from several different parts of the state, arrived early, signed up to speak and took our seats. What we witnessed in council chambers, almost as soon as the meeting opened was, in all honesty, shocking, and if I had not been there, would have had a hard time believing took place. Mayor Huja opened by asking for attendees to respect all speakers and not interrupt them. He may as well have been talking to the brick walls. The first 12 speakers were allowed to speak on any topic The majority who spoke were Charlottesville residents, and a circus like atmosphere quickly ensued, with members of the audience constantly shouting and talking over speakers, council members, and the Mayor, who occasionally attempted to restore order, to no avail. The speakers themselves accused council members and the city of everything from criminal activity to overt racism and oppression at every level of government and public service. To give you an idea of the speakers' subject matter, we offer, word for word, a resolution that was presented for consideration by a city resident during his remarks:

"WHEREAS the City of Charlottesville was founded by Thomas Jefferson, a scoundrel of the most unsavory variety, indeed, a slave rapist, and INSOMUCH AS the evils of racism, began during his time, continue unabated to afflict the City of Charlottesville to this day, BE IT SO RESOLVED that from this day henceforth, no longer shall the City of Charlottesville celebrate racist Confederate war criminals, but shall instead honor the memories of Nat Turner and John Brown, in hopes that one day, we shall be rid of the foul legacy of Thomas Jefferson."

As one can imagine, when it came time for the public hearing on the Lee-Jackson question, the crowd was already worked into a frenzy, and it intensified when the first speaker, an elderly Charlottesville resident, rose to speak against removing the holiday. He was heckled and interrupted over and over. Although many who watched the proceedings on live video stream told us afterward that they could hear commotion but not make out exactly what was going on, each speaker who spoke in favor of the Lee-Jackson holiday was subject to this ill-mannered and rude behavior, in varying degrees.

By the time I was called to speak, I will admit that my nerves were on edge. I had never witnessed such a spectacle in a public meeting and honestly many of us began to fear for our safety. I'm glad I had my remarks prepared and with as steady of a voice and every bit of composure I could muster, I read them as loudly as I could, hoping to drown out and determined to completely ignore the shouting and commotion in the chamber. My talking points consisted of pointing out the honor and character of Lee & Jackson, the precedent set by a proclamation signed by the Governor, the fact that this proposal was causing division and strife that would not exist otherwise, and making the point that both men were American Veterans who sacrificed all for God and Country and should not be dishonored. This apparently was enough to make a woman in the row in front of me, who had been one of the more vocal throughout the meeting, determine that she had enough evidence to label me a "racist" and hurl an insult my way as I took my seat.

More shocking to me than the behavior of the citizens was the lack of any kind of control by the Mayor or council members. One young woman was removed from the chamber, after she repeatedly hurled insults at Ms. Karen when she was speaking. Other than that, and a few requests for quiet that were ignored, the behavior, even profanity from speakers, was permitted and therefore sanctioned, as far as we were concerned. Most of us were incredulously waiting for someone on City Council to have the guts to speak up and speak out against the behavior, and publicly apologize to the others in attendance. It never happened.

Those in attendance to oppose the measure included members of the Va Flaggers, Edmund Ruffin FireEaters Camp #3000 SCV, Robert E. Lee Camp #1589 SCV, Stafford Light Artillery SCV, 19th Va Infantry Camp #1493 SCV, Army of Northern VA/ Mechanized Cavalry, and the Sally Tompkins Chapter #2 Order of the Confederate Rose. I am more proud than I can express of the way our folks conducted themselves, refusing to join in the disruptive behavior, despite the chaotic and abusive atmosphere.

Photo: RYAN M. KELLY/THE DAILY PROGRESS

After the public remarks section of the hearing closed, we thought it best to leave, after the blatant bigotry, animosity, and disrespect we experienced in the meeting. In the hall, we were greeted by ONE council member who made it a point to seek us out, shake our hand, thank us for coming, and apologize for what we had been subject to. I replied that I sincerely appreciated him doing so, as he was the FIRST person in the entire chamber to offer us any kind of welcome or civility. At that point, a (black) security guard standing beside me reached out his hand, shook mine, smiled, and said, "Well, let me be the second."

There were a few times during the meeting, when it became painfully obvious that council members had already decided this matter before we stepped inside the chamber, and I questioned if we had done the right thing by attending. Those thoughts were quickly dispelled when I considered that by being there and standing for Lee & Jackson, at the very least our opposition and the truths we submitted, were made part of the public record and we, by our conduct and deportment, showed the stark and very clear contrast that exists between those of us who wish to honor our Confederate ancestors, and those who look for every opportunity to attack those with whom they disagree, taking great pleasure in causing division and strife where none exists.

What we witnessed last night was a good exhibit of the danger of democracy devolving into mob rule. John Randolph of Roanoke said "anarchy is the chrysalis-state of despotism." I see no greater example than the striking of a holiday to honor two men who faithfully and honorably served God and Country, in a futile attempt to appease and propitiate a handful of vocal agitators.

Please do not reprint material from this blog without the express permission of the Virginia Flaggers.

WHO ARE THE VA FLAGGERS?

We are citizens of the Commonwealth who stand AGAINST those who would desecrate our Confederate Monuments and memorials, and FOR our Confederate Veterans.

The Virginia Flaggers were organized on September 5, 2011. What began with just a few dedicated Southerners, has now grown to include hundreds of people, from all over the country, who have joined us in defending the honor of the Confederate Veteran, protesting Heritage violations, and forwarding the colors in Richmond, and Virginia… and beyond!

When needed, flaggers stand with our flags against those in opposition in a peaceful, yet forceful manner, to educate and inform the general public, and in open and visible protest against those who have attacked us, our flags, our ancestors, or our Heritage.

Flaggers speak for those who have no voice. We relay a message of Honor, Dignity, Respect, and Heritage to those who never knew, or to those who have forgotten, and to attempt to reach those who refuse to hear.

Our weapon is the Confederate Battle Flag. Our enemies are those who worship ignorance, historical revisionism and Political Correctness.

We take pride in taking a stand for the Cause. For this Cause, we call others to flock to the banner of our ancestors, take up their flags, and join us in battle, for OUR TIME IS NOW.

The Va Flaggers reject any person or group whose actions tarnish or bring dishonor upon the Confederate soldier or his reason for fighting, including those groups and persons using our cherished flag as a symbol for their own dishonorable purposes.